Results 2,861-2,880 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to discuss the point made by Deputy Cowen. When someone is in dereliction of his or her duty - and quite clearly that was the case here - is there a provision for ministerial sanction? Can the Minister punish the authority for failing to apply standards or for not noticing defects? Does the buck stop with the Minister? Can he or she apply a sanction because someone else or some...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Is there communication between the Department and the building control unit of Dublin City Council?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I meant in terms of the materials. For example, if I open a quarry in west Cork and I use material from that quarry, who inspects my quarry? What are the qualifications of those who are despatched to test these materials?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Yes, and other sources of materials used in the construction of these or any other units.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Before calling on members, I wish to ask a question. In respect of Priory Hall, the regulations were bypassed. How did that come to pass?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Is there also an issue in the context of materials? Those who were involved in construction during the boom or who are constructing one-off dwellings at present will inform one that a great many regulations apply. People make conscientious efforts to comply with those regulations, not on foot of bureaucratic direction but because they are obliged to do so. Compliance with the regulations...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: During the construction process, the local authority had a role to play. What was the level of interaction between the Department and the local authority? Why were the defects not noticed until construction had been completed? It is reasonable to assume that most of the people who purchased units in Priory Hall obtained mortgages. One of the conditions with regard to drawing down a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: COM (2012) 141, COM (2012) 221 and COM (2012) 242 (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: The joint committee will now consider the following EU legislative proposals: COM (2012) 141; COM (2012) 221; and COM (2012) 242. COM (2012) 141 is a Council directive amending annexe 1 to European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. Article 3.1 of that directive provides a generic definition of packaging and criteria on what can be viewed as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Building Regulations: Discussion (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: We will consider the topic of maintaining and enforcing regulations in the building sector with representatives of the Building Regulations Advisory Body and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I welcome Mr. Aidan O'Connor, a member of the Building Regulations Advisory Body and principal adviser in the architecture and building standards section of the housing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Election of Chairman (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to thank the members of the committee for my appointment. I look forward to the role. In particular, I thank Deputy Coonan for his very warm comments. I am deeply honoured to be Chairman of this committee and I look forward to working with each and every member of the committee. I want to pay special tribute to the outgoing Chairman, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, for the very hard work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Business of Joint Committee (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I propose we go into private session to deal with items Nos. 2 to 5 on the agenda. Is that agreed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Business of Joint Committee (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: The Deputy's comments are noted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Business of Joint Committee (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Deputy Coonan has the floor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Business of Joint Committee (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: For the purposes of the record of these proceedings, I advise that the clerk to the committee did not get any notification of it either.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Business of Joint Committee (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: The members' comments are noted. I propose that we now go into private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Fees (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his view on whether it is acceptable that a person is being asked to pay fees at a third-level institution despite their status (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44520/12]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Reception (16 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to incidences in County Donegal whereby RTE teletext is not available without a Saorview box, which is contrary to what is being communicated through public information adverts which state that a set-top box is not required if a household has access to SKY television or UPC; if he will clarify...

Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I have two questions. What is the biggest challenge for the Minister in terms of the Croke Park agreement? My second question is on shared services. How is the model of shared services being applied to local authorities implementing the efficiencies? I have one further point for the record of the House. Deputy Ross's Christian name is spelled incorrectly on his name bar.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (11 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will advise on whether a person (details supplied) is entitled to any tax refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43862/12]